TheNewsGuru

Tag: TCN

  • BREAKING: Electricity workers shutdown national grid

    BREAKING: Electricity workers shutdown national grid

    After appeals to suspend their proposed strike failed, electricity workers in Nigeria, under the aegis of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have shut down the national grid and gone on strike.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the development has thrown the nation into darkness as the electricity workers shut down the national grid around 11.30 am on Wednesday, multiple sources at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) have confirmed.

    Recall that NUEE had on August 15 directed its members to picket offices of TCN nationwide on August 16, after which, embark on strike on August 17 (today).

    The General Secretary, NUEE, Mr Joe Ajaero had, in a statement, said the picketing was to protest the directive by the TCN board that all Principal Managers in acting capacity going to Acting General Manager must appear for a promotion interview.

    Ajaero said the directive was in contravention of the workers’ conditions of service and career progression paths, and alleged that it was unilaterally done without the relevant stakeholders.

    Other issues raised include stigmatisation of staff from the office of the Head of Service of the Federation from working in other areas in the power sector, and non-payment of December 2019 entitlement of ex-PHCN staff.

    Earlier, the Managing Director of the TCN, Dr Sule Abdulaziz had, in a letter on Tuesday, following the threat by the workers to embark on the strike to drive home their demands, appealed to the electricity workers to suspend their proposed strike.

    Dr Abdulaziz disclosed that the management of TCN had suspended the said proposed interview for those on acting appointment of Assistant General Managers and General Managers while discussion with the board is concluded.

    “On the other two issues: circular from the office of Head of Service on stigmatisation of the defunct PHCN staff; payment of entitlement of ex-PHCN staff by market operator, the management has contacted the Honourable Minister of Power for his further action.

    “In view of this development, we appeal to your union to stay action; please accept the assurances of our highest regards,” Abdulaziz stated.

    Also, the Minister of State for Power, Mr Goddy Jedy-Agba, in a letter dated August 15, 2022 to the union, said that the ministry was committed to proffering solutions that would be acceptable to all parties concerned.

    “May we appeal to your great union to allow us two weeks from the date of this letter to address the issues and come up with proposals toward acceptable resolution of all issues,“ he said.

  • BREAKING: National blackout looms as electricity workers union orders strike

    BREAKING: National blackout looms as electricity workers union orders strike

    Electricity supply crisis might worsen from Wednesday, as Organized Labour has directed workers in the Power sector to down tools and commence an indefinite strike over pending labour issues with the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this is coming barely one month after the national grid collapsed

    The National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, as a prelude to the strike, the aggrieved workers are scheduled to picket the Abuja national Headquatres of TCN Tuesday.

    In a circular by the General Secretary of NUEE, Joe Ajaero, titled “Call for Action”, to Senior Assistant General Secretaries and Zonal Organising Secretaries dated August 15, 2022, the Union directed them to ensure total compliance.

  • TUC rejects proposed privatisation of Federal Hospitals

    TUC rejects proposed privatisation of Federal Hospitals

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has opposed the planned privatisation of public healthcare facilities in the country.

    The TUC President, Mr Festus Osifo, spoke while addressing newsmen at the end of union’s National Administrative Council (NAC), Central Working Committee (CWC), and National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Friday in Abuja.

    He said that the NEC in session strongly opposed the move by the Federal Government to privatise the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Federal hospitals.

    He said that Nigerians had never benefitted from privatisations done in the past and as such, TUC strongly frowned at it.

    “As TUC, we take a complete exception to this. The NEC of TUC, frowns at this, because the privatisation that was done in the past, where has it led us to.

    “Nothing meaningful has ever come out from the previous privatisation processes, especially the power sector,” he said.

    The TUC president while speaking on the lingering strike in the university system, called on the Federal Government to place value on education in country.

    “TUC as a body is here to protect our national interest. We will do everything possible to ensure that we engage government, and also engage ASUU as well to find an amicable solution.

    “You will agree with me that where there is will, there is always a way, ‘’ he said.

    He condemned the N1.4 billion spent on the purchase of vehicles for the Government of Niger Republic.

    “The value that is placed on our university system is the reason why we are here today, ’’he said.

    The TUC president also said that there was no need for government to continue paying for fuel subsidy as the impact was clearly not felt by Nigerians.

    The TUC President suggested that the money meant for fuel subsidy could be used to meet the demands of university-based unions.

    He further called on governments to as a matter of urgency take steps to address the security challenges in the country.

  • National grid collapse catalyst for leadership change – Peter Obi

    National grid collapse catalyst for leadership change – Peter Obi

    Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi has described reports of the national power grid has collapsed for the 6th time in 7 months as alarming.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Obi as saying such negative parameters are not only benchmarks for governance failure but a compelling catalyst for a leadership change.

    “Reports that the national power grid has collapsed for the 6th time in 7 months is alarming. Once again, many Nigerians have been left grope around in darkness without electricity.

    “Such negative parameters are not only benchmarks for governance failure but a compelling catalyst for leadership change.

    “Moreover, in a nation where many go the bed hungry, and national bakers going on strike is indicative of the high-stress level in both the productive realm of our economy and quality of life.

    “Also, for bread, one of the basic and affordable daily sustenance of the average Nigerian to become unavailable translates to a national crisis.

    “Government must live up to its statutory responsibilities to avert socio-economic incidents that induce extreme shock and stress on the national population,” the Labour Party presidential hopeful said.

    Restoration of national grid after collapse almost ready – TCN

    Meanwhile, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Thursday said restoration of the national grid was almost completed following its collapse on Wednesday.

    Mrs Ndidi Mbah, TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.

    Mbah said that the national grid experienced system disturbance at about 11:27 a.m. on Wednesday, but that its restoration was almost completed as at 11:00 p.m.

    ”The incident was a result of sudden drop in system frequency from 49.94  Hertz (HZ) to 47.36Hz, which created system instability,” she said.

    Hertz is a unit of frequency which replaces the earlier term of one cycle per second (cps).

    Mbah said that reports from the National Control Centre (NCC), revealed that the collapse was precipitated by the tripping of a unit with a load of 106 Megawatts (MW) in one of the generating stations due to “Exhaust over Temperature”

    She said the tripping pulled out other grid-connected units in the plant, which resulted in aggregated generation loss of 457MW.

    “A train of events ensued, culminating in the collapse of the national grid.

    “As obtainable in all systems, when a component of the electric power system is defective, the entire configuration is vitiated,” she said

    Mbah said investigation was going on to establish the cause of the failure.

    She said the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) appreciated the understanding of the government and consumers of electricity within and outside the country.

    Mbah said that NESI was committed to leveraging on interventions instituted thus far to enhance power supply reliability.

  • Blackout as national grid collapses again

    Blackout as national grid collapses again

    The National Grid on Wednesday suffered another system collapse resulting in a blackout in some parts of the country.

    Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday.

    “Dear Customers, we regret to inform you of a system collapse on the National grid at precisely 11:27a.m today, July 20.

    “We are in talks with the Transmission Company of Nigeria to ascertain the cause of the collapse and a possible restoration timeline.

    “We will keep you updated on the situation,” the electricity distribution company said.

  • Power supply to drop again – TCN alerts Nigerians

    Power supply to drop again – TCN alerts Nigerians

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced that power supply will drop by 50 megawatts.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports TCN made this known in a statement on Monday.

    TCN explained that the expected drop is a result of planned annual “preventive maintenance” on the line bay at Lekki Transmission Substation in Lagos.

    During the maintenance period, about 50MW will be interrupted, affecting the power supply to Lekki phase 1, Oniru, Elegushi, Waterfront, Igbo Efon and Twenty-first Century Estate in Lagos state.

    “TCN regrets all inconvenience this might cause electricity consumers in the affected area,” the statement said.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had responded to a widespread public clamour following the consistent system collapsing of the power grid, over four incidents recorded so far this year.

    According to the commission, all hands are on deck to ensure boost in power generation and supply to electricity consumers, adding that all stakeholders, including gas firms had signed binding contracts to the effect.

    “Although there have been contracts in the past, they were not binding and the parties could decide not to honour them. But with the new agreement, we would make sure no party defaults once the contracts are signed.

    “Whoever defaults will be held responsible and will be sanctioned”, NERC Chairman, Garba Sanusi had said during a media parley in Lagos.

  • FEC approves projects to shore up power supply

    FEC approves projects to shore up power supply

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved projects to shore up power supply across the country.

    Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, announced this after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Aliyu said that the projects were aimed at strengthening the capacity of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and shore up power supply in the country.

    “I presented two memos to council today which council has approved; the first memo council approved the award of contract for design, supply and installation of 1x60MBA, 132×33 KV transmission substation with associated 4×132 KV line bay extension at Hong Local Government in Adamawa in the sum of N6.5 billion,  consisting of two components. One is offshore and onshore.

    “ The offshore is 6.9 million dollars and the onshore is N3.3 billion at the CBN prevailing exchange rate and 7.5 per cent VAT; the delivery period is 24 months.

    “This seeks to raise the capacity of the supply around that area and it’s going to affect so many towns and villages, there’s a very important local government headquarters around that area.

    “It is going to affect Song which is a Local Government headquarters in Adamawa state;  Gombi is also another Local Government headquarters;  Garkida town and then Hong.

    “Then Mubi, Woba, Michika, Madagali. There is an existing 132 that passes through this area; so, what we’re doing now is to drop a substation there.

    “The hope is by the time all these interventions we are making on the grid, reaches up to 11,000 or there about, it will be able to withstand and take it off;  so, this is the intervention.’’

    The minister said that the second memo also was to procure power transformers and associated spare parts for TCN to be deployed to six locations.

    “One is to Aiyede in Oyo; Offshore component 1.8 billion dollars, the onshore is N98 million.

    `The second one is Gusau in Zamfara; the third one is Kankia in Katsina State; the next one is Minna, Niger; then the fifth one is to Okearo in Ogun.

    “The sixth one is in Damaturu, Yobe; this one is very peculiar because as you may be aware, for over one year, Maiduguri has not been enjoying full electricity.

    “We were able to take electricity supply through an old line of 33 KV which we repaired and restored and were able to take 10 megawatts to Maiduguri over 130 kilometers on a 33 single circuit.

    “We restored that around three to four months or thereabout; so they are enjoying but very little;  by the time the electricity reaches Maiduguri, it will drop to six or seven megawatts because of losses along the way.’’

    Aliyu said that the 330 taking power to Maiduguri was vandalised by insurgents.

    He said the ministry tried a number of times to restore it but the insurgents would go back and pull down the towers.

    “So, we now decided, in the main time to take electricity through the 33 KVA which they are enjoying but not as they may like it to be. It’s being rationed around the time.

    “So, we are currently procuring another 33 double circuit new one to Maiduguri along the same route.

    “So the idea is if someone tampers with it, it is easy to restore it within a day or two, unlike the bigger one which is the 330 which takes weeks or months to restore because it’s in the bush.

    “So, as it is now even the one that we have installed, we have been doing hide and seek, sometimes they will pull one two poles, we will repair and this is why we are doing this endeavour by the roadside; it is this to keep on restoring back.’’

    He said that at present, the contractor had returned to restore the main line, 330 that was vandalised some time back.

    The minister said that, in order to have enough electricity for Damaturu and environs from that substation in Damaturu, and take some to Maiduguri, the project would boost the capacity of Damaturu substation.

    “So, the sixth one which  is at the cost of  6.7 million dollars while the local component is N1.3 billion for  the Damaturu upgrade injection transformer.

    “So, the total approved for these is the dollar component as 22. 6 million dollars and the naira component is N5.1 billion and the council graciously approved the two memos,’’ he said.

  • Nigerians to enjoy improved power supply from July 1 – NERC

    Nigerians to enjoy improved power supply from July 1 – NERC

    Mr Sanusi Garba, Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), says Nigerians will witness improved power supply from July 1 following renewed efforts by industry stakeholders.

    Garba gave the assurance at an interactive session with newsmen after the Second Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) meeting on Wednesday in Lagos.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that the national grid has collapsed five times this year and was on Sunday only able to supply 9MW of electricity.

    The meeting was attended by top officials of NERC, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Generation Companies as well electricity Distribution Companies.

    He said NERC had facilitated a contractual agreement between the Gencos, TCN and the 11 DisCos that would guarantee the generation, transmission and distribution of an average of 5,000MW of electricity daily to customers effective July 1.

    According to him, the contract is binding on all the players across the sector’s value chain and stipulates penalties for any party that defaults on the arrangement under the new regime.

    Garba said: “Yes, we have had discussions with the gas suppliers within our regulatory space. We have them on board to ensure that once we made the commercial requirements, gas was going to flow.

    “Now, for transmission we have heard of figures well in excess of 5,000MW and clearly TCN will be able to deliver that.

    “I recall clearly in March last year we had 5,400MW. So, it means it is quite possible based on signed commitments.”

    He said all the stakeholders across the value chain had obligations and there would be consequences if they failed to deliver.

    “So, in a situation where Gencos are able to deliver 5,000MW but TCN is unable to do so, they’ll pay the penalty to the generation company and so on.

    “And whenever the power is available and DisCos do not take the power;

    then they will pay liquidated damages that will compensate other market participants.

    “We might not have 24/7 power supply from July 1 but Nigerians will see the trajectory because the target is to have an average of 5,000MW daily for transmission and distribution,” said Garba.

    He also blamed the recent collapse of the national grid on inadequate gas supply, maintenance of some thermal stations as well as vandalism of power infrastructure and gas pipelines.

    “The challenges of today are very clear. In the past, it used to be weak infrastructure and so on and so forth. Now we have certain external factors contributing to these events.

    “Obviously, it’s not common around the world to see people coming down, pulling down transmission towers for no reason; or blowing up crude oil lines.

    “In a number of instances, most of the gas we have today is associated gas and because of that when crude lines are disrupted it also affects the supply of gas to the thermal stations,” he said.

    Garba commended the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the interventions in the power sector, adding that country would soon start feeling the impact of the investments positively.

  • INCOMPETENCE: NCPN blames TCN over collapsed National Grid

    The Nigerian Consumer Protection Network (NCPN) has blamed the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), over the recent collapsed National Grid, saying it was due to incompetence.

     

    More than 24 hours after the collapse of the National Grid, the nation remained in darkness.

     

    NCPN asserted that TCN has failed to get its priority right, noting that it is certain they (TCN) need to deal with the issue of incompetence urgently.

     

    On Sunday night, power generation dipped to nine megawatts.

    Incompetence

     

    Before the collapse, the System Operator (SO) in its performance report put peak performance at 3,703mw.

     

    On the day under review, the NESI generated a total energy 2,869.01mw and distributed 2,824mw.

     

    Raising the issue of incompetence on the part of TCN, Spokesman of NCPN, Kunle Olubiyo, a lawyer, challenged the TCN to prioritise its use of funds for the national grid.

     

    The TCN said a major setback experienced by the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) triggered the lowest generation following which the national grid collapsed.

     

    The setback immediately threw the country into darkness forcing consumers to fall back to alternative sources for power.

     

    In a public notice to its customers, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) management explained: “The current power outage is due to a system failure from the National Grid.

     

    The system collapsed at about 6:49pm today (12th June, 2022), causing the outage currently being experienced.

     

    “We appeal for your understanding as well all stakeholders are working hard to restore normal supply.”

     

    The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC) also pleaded with its customers. It attributed the outage in its area of coverage to the system failure.

     

    Its Head, Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, noted that the collapse occurred 18:47pm on Sunday.

     

    He said: “We regret to inform you that the power outage being experienced in our franchise states is due to system collapse of the national grid.

     

    “The collapse occurred at about 18:47pm this (Sunday), hence, the loss of supply on all our outgoing feeders.

     

    “Power supply shall be restored as soon as the National Grid is powered back, our sincere apologies for any inconvenience.”

     

    According to Malam Isa Sanusi, Special Assistant on Media Affairs to Power Minister Abubakar Aliyu, said the TCN was already issuing a press statement on the matter.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathered that TCN was awaiting the minister’s nod before issuing the statement.

     

    However, the NCPN spokesman blamed obsolete equipment and lack of maintenance due to incometence for frequent collapse of the grid.

    Incompetence

     

    Olubiyo said: “The issue is not lack of fund but misplaced priority vis a visa misapplication of funds.

     

    “Our emphasis should have being on how to improve on technical investments of the grid and not the administration of high capacity transformers. We have so many generation that is being stranded.”

  • Nigeria’s lowest electricity generation was 2,661.82 Mega Watts (MW)- Minister of Power

    The Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, has said the lowest electricity generation was 2,661.82 Mega Watts (MW).

     

    He explained that this was due to the partial shutdown of the Oben Gas Plant to address the repair of critical gas processing equipment.

     

    According to the Nigerian Electricity System Operator (SO) of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) System Performance of 3rd June 2022, peak generation was 3,450.60Mw.

     

    The report added that total energy generated was 3,105Mw while total energy sent out was 3,059Mw.

     

    Meanwhile, the minister, in a press statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mallam Isa Sanusi, said: “We wish to notify the general public that the current dip in electricity generation is a result of the partial shutdown of the Oben Gas Plant to address the repair of critical gas processing equipment.”

     

    TheNewsGuru,com (TNG) recalls that the federal government gas had earlier accused some States Governments of hampering projects that are meant to strengthen and expand the national power grid for a better supply of electricity in the country.

     

    The incident, he said, unfortunately, occurred at a time when other power plants on other gas sources are undergoing planned maintenance and capacity testing.

     

    The minister, however, noted that Seplat Energy Plc has mobilized equipment, material, and personnel to the site with a view to expediting the restoration of normal gas supply to the affected power plants.

     

    He assured the public that the repair work would be concluded this weekend and normalcy will be restored.

     

    “While pleading with electricity consumers with the current state of supply, we wish to assure the general public that efforts are being made for a sustained improvement of supply across the country,” the minister said.

     

    Consequently, energy allocation to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) was reduced from 650Mw to 228.65Mw, representing a 64.8% decrease.

     

    Its management which disclosed this in a public notice assured its customers of distributing the allocation equitably.

     

    The public notice reads in part: “We are aware that the instability of electricity supply has persisted. This is still due to the reduced load allocation to our franchise area.

     

    “AEDC’s allocation is currently 228.63Mw which is significantly lower than the average allocation of 650Mw during the optimal generation period.”